CHAPTER 229: 219 MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL PARTY SIGN-UPS (PART 2)

Tian Sangsang was listening when a sharp laugh suddenly came from behind.

"Oh, sister-in-law, you’re here." Qin Lan and a group of military wives walked over together.

Tian Sangsang’s face remained calm, her lips curling upward slightly. Qin Lan was really everywhere; she seemed to pop up no matter where one went.

"Huihui, what kind of pastries are these? They look so pretty!" One of the military wives spotted the delicate pastries in You Huixixi’s hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tian Sangsang didn’t understand why she was so overdramatic—aren’t they just some casually made pastries? But this military wife’s reaction was exaggerated. What Tian Sangsang didn’t realize was that even though they lived in the family quarters of the military district, life wasn’t that good overall, merely average for the era. She was relatively lucky—Jiang Jinghuai had given her all the money he had saved from before, which left her with more than enough to go around.

You Huixixi smiled and said, "Sangsang made these and brought me some." As she spoke, she carried the plate further inside, showing no intention of sharing them with the others.

Perhaps it was because she didn’t have a close relationship with them, or maybe giving away something someone gifted her would be disrespectful. Whatever the others thought, that was another matter entirely.

When Qin Lan heard that Tian Sangsang had made them, her expression became indescribably peculiar but quickly masked it. Her tone had a sharp edge: "I never expected you to be so talented, sister-in-law, making such delicate little pastries." The words sounded like a compliment but were clearly meant as a jab. Anytime someone uses "never expected"... it usually isn’t genuine praise.

Tian Sangsang replied nonchalantly, "Not bad, just practicing my skills."

Qin Lan felt frustrated. Why was her attitude always so calm? She was clearly just another countryside girl, yet she acted like an urbanite!

The military wives noticed the tension. Qin Lan’s house was right across from Tian Sangsang’s, yet Tian Sangsang would rather give pastries to You Huixixi than Qin Lan—proof of how she ranked people in her mind.

"I heard you were talking about the Mid-Autumn Festival gala just now." Qin Lan paused for effect, pursing her lips into a smile. "Since you’re new, sister-in-law, why not sign up for a performance to introduce yourself? It’s not uncommon for some of us military wives to perform at past galas. Captain Jiang holds a decent rank in the unit, so I’m sure his subordinates would love to see his wife’s charm and talent."

"I’d rather not—I don’t have to sign up." You Huixixi looked worried. "Sangsang just arrived and isn’t familiar with the rules." She knew Tian Sangsang had come from the countryside and probably didn’t have any artistic skills. Qin Lan was clearly setting her up with that suggestion.

"Precisely because she’s new, she should show her face—this gala is the perfect opportunity." Qin Lan made a show of looking "genuinely" concerned.

Tian Sangsang glanced at her nonchalantly and asked, "Sister-in-law, have you performed before?"

Qin Lan froze. "No." She was just a rural woman—how could she compete with those "little demons" from the arts troupe?

"Then I’ll sign up." Tian Sangsang’s lips curved slightly upward, her soft-toned words landing like a bomb detonating in the air.

What? The military wives were dumbstruck. What did she say? She’s signing up? For what exactly—her dark complexion or her chubby figure?

When Tian Sangsang had first arrived, the military wives had looked down on her. Later, because of the bed situation, they saw that Captain Jiang treated her somewhat well, so they didn’t dare underestimate her. But this lack of underestimation had everything to do with her husband and nothing to do with her as a person. Now, though, this woman—whom they still saw as dark-skinned and a bit monstrous—said she’d sign up for the gala performance? Wouldn’t she just end up as background decoration for the arts troupe’s show?

Wait, she did seem to have lightened up a bit...

You Huixixi asked hesitantly, "Sangsang, you’re really signing up?"

"Yes. By the way, where do I go to register?"

You Huixixi saw the determination in her eyes and quickly fetched a form from inside, patiently explaining, "Just fill this out with your chosen performance, hand it to me, and I’ll pass it to my husband. He’ll submit it for you."

Tian Sangsang took the form and thanked her.

You Huixixi wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. In her view, Tian Sangsang was just being impulsive—she’d rather face off with Qin Lan than retreat quietly. But as she took in Tian Sangsang’s calm demeanor, she couldn’t be entirely sure what was running through her mind. People ultimately walked their own paths, and over-lecturing might just make them upset.

"We’re all country folk, yet sister-in-law seems to know so much more than us: reading newspapers, gardening, and now signing up for performances." Qin Lan probed, "Did you learn any special skills before, sister-in-law?"

"No." Tian Sangsang answered truthfully. Her field of study was English, though she’d briefly taken extracurricular lessons in calligraphy and brushwork as a child. In her adulthood, she still practiced calligraphy occasionally. Brushwork, on the other hand, was too time-consuming and messy, so she rarely touched it.

No special skills? Then what would she even perform? The other military wives smirked to themselves.

"So, sister-in-law, what talent will you showcase?" Qin Lan’s eyes gleamed with mockery.

"It’s a secret." Tian Sangsang flashed her a toothy smile, her gleaming white teeth radiant.

What was that? Acting mysterious? No ink in the well, yet pretending to have secrets! Qin Lan grew increasingly irritated. "Really, sister-in-law, what’s there to keep secret? We all live in the same building—we’re just concerned for you. If you tell us, we could give you some advice."

"Actually, I haven’t decided yet." Tian Sangsang blinked innocently.

Qin Lan was left fuming.

Even You Huixixi started admiring Tian Sangsang—forever composed.

Truthfully, she hadn’t decided on a song yet. Performing wasn’t new to her; she’d done it once back in Tian Family Village. But this was the military’s Mid-Autumn Festival gala—the theme had to involve both soldiers and the holiday. She needed to think carefully. Since Qin Lan wanted her humiliated, she’d make her appearance grand enough for the ages.

Returning home later, Tian Sangsang unexpectedly discovered that Jiang Jinghuai had polished off all the pastries on his plate...

While passing through the kitchen, she thought for a moment before speaking, "I signed up."

"Hmm?" Jiang Jinghuai’s narrowed eyes lifted slightly.

"There’s a Mid-Autumn Festival gala in a few days. I plan to perform at it."

Jiang Jinghuai pressed his thin lips together, looking at her somewhat complexly. "If you can’t, you don’t have to force yourself to participate."

"Do I look like someone who can’t handle it?" Tian Sangsang rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh?" Jiang Jinghuai asked, "So how exactly are you capable?"

"Honestly?" Facing him, Tian Sangsang squinted. "Every day, I suppress the urge to belt out a song... I think my singing’s pretty decent."

Jiang Jinghuai paused, seemingly muttering under his breath, "Is it ’Little Star’..."

"I know!" Meng Shuyan suddenly raised his hands to interrupt Jiang Jinghuai, his voice drowning out the unspoken question. He raised both hands, swaying them left and right, as he sang: "Follow my left hand, my right hand, with a slow motion. Left hand, right hand, replaying that slow motion, youth, youth, huh?"

"Whoa, impressive, Yanyan!" Tian Sangsang clapped her hands, before lightly continuing to sing: "If I had a fairy wand, I’d make things big, small, or pretty. I’d also make a house full of comics, chocolate, and toys. If I had a robot cat, I’d call him Little Dingdang. Bamboo dragonfly and the Time Tunnel, I could go anywhere. Turn kids, adults, and bad guys into good ones. (Hi everyone, I’m Little Dingdang). AngAngAng, Little Dingdang helps me make all my wishes come true~~~"

Her buoyant and lively tone, trailing with a long melodic note, ended with Tian Sangsang bowing deeply. "Not bad, right?"

Meng Shuyan applauded enthusiastically, while Little Milk Tea nodded vigorously. Jiang Jinghuai... his expression turned grave.

Tian Sangsang hummed softly, thinking to herself how ignorant of good music he was—she truly missed Zhao Chun.